MAN CITY 0, MAN UNITED 1
Marcus Rashford threw open the battle for the last Champions League place after scoring Manchester United’s matchwinning goal in the derby.
Suddenly the Reds are back in with a shout for a top-four spot as City are under threat of missing out if they don’t rediscover their winning touch.
This was their fifth home league defeat of the season, as many as in the previous four seasons in total as they have picked up only four points from a possible 18 in their last six league games.
United are sixth but only one point behind City who are fourth as the pair and West Ham are the three clubs battling out for fourth place.
Once more United manager Louis van Gaal pulled back from the brink as pressure again mounted after Thursday’s elimination from the Europa League.
The Reds produced a resilient display at the Etihad against a City side lacking in confidence as they failed to find the net for a third successive game.
And though City had 26 goal attempts to United’s four, goalkeeper David De Gea was rarely troubled as the finishing was wayward.
There was also two damning statistics as this was the 18th time in 19 Premier League games City had failed to win having been behind at half time while this season they have won three and lost six times in nine games against top-six sides.
Van Gaal spoke of the importance of the win declaring: “I said in advance on television it was a game we must win. We have done it and I am very happy.
“If we had not won the gap would have been too big at four points with eight games to go. Now it is in our own hands if we win our games. We also have more home games than away and we don’t much at Old Trafford so we have a chance.”
Van Gaal was delighted with the win after having only two days to recover after the Europa League game against Liverpool saying it is nigh impossible pointing to Liverpool’s defeat at Southampton having been 2-0 ahead at the break.
“I have not seen the match but can only conclude it was because of tiredness. My players fought to the end and Rashford was running with cramp, something I have never seen before.”
Van Gaal was also asked about Rashford forcing his way into the England squad.
He explained: “I am not exaggerating. He is a young player and he is good. That is why he is in the team.
“Last week you (the press) were telling me to take him out of the team. Now you are saying he should be in the national team. I am consistent, you are not.”
City manager Manuel Pellegrini remained upbeat despite the defeat saying: “It is important we are still fourth and there are still 24 points to play for.
“I am not happy with the performance, but we didn’t deserve to lose. We dominated the game but missed clear chances and we are not scoring.”
Pellegrini denied he had lost the dressing room in the wake of his impending departure saying he was happy with the spirit shown.
He continued: “I have not lost control, though this is not the best way to end the season.
“I am happy with the attitude of all the players. We want to finish the season as near the top as possible and continue with the trust to get the fourth position.”
City made four changes from the midweek Champions League game against Dynamo Kiev, though Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi were ruled out through injury.
Pablo Zabaleta and Fernando Reges also missed out as Pellegrini recalled Bacary Sagna, Martin Demichelis and Eliaquim Mangala to defence and Raheem Sterling to the attack.
United’s two changes from Thursday’s Europa League game against Liverpool saw Matteo Darmian and Morgan Schneiderlin replace Guillermo Varela and Marouane Fellaini.
City had the first clear-cut chance in the seventh minute when Darmain headed out a Sterling cross, but only as far as Jesus Navas who shot wide.
Navas had another goal attempt that was kept out by the legs of De Gea after a neat build up involving Sterling and David Silva.
The against the run of play, United stole ahead in the 16th minute when Juan Mata’s great through ball released Rashford who slipped past Demichelis before steering a shot low past keeper Joe Hart.
It was the teenager’s fifth goal of the season in only eight appearances and, at 18 years and 141 days, he became the youngest scorer in the Manchester derby in the Premier League era.
And it could have been 2-0 not long after when Anthony Martial’s piledriver was beaten out by Hart.
City had a great chance to equalise when Demichelis headed not far wide from six yards from Silva’s free kick.
City were forced into a change after only 25 minutes when Sterling limped off with a groin strain and was replaced by Fernando.
Yaya Toure curled a shot just wide of the upright as City looked for a leveller.
United claimed a penalty in stoppage time when Rashford went down in the box under a challenge from Demichelis and replays showed there was some contact.
Demichelis was having a nightmare and one minute after the restart his short back pass left hart in trouble. The keeper slid in to clear as Martial charged in on goal, but pulled a calf muscle.
Hart left the field on a stretcher to be replaced by Willy Caballero as City’s day went from bad to worse with a second injury sustained.
Demichelis’ misery was eased not long after as he was substituted by Wilfried Bony, City’s third and final changes, with midfielder Fernandinho slotting into defence.
Caballero was twice called into action early on saving well from Marcos Rojo and Martial’s deflected effort as United were in control of the game.
Antonio Valencia replaced Rojo just after the hour with Darmian switching from right to eft back.
City came close to equalising mid-half when Aguero headed against the upright from Toure’s near –post cross, though De Gea appeared to have the effort covered.
United made their second change with 20 minutes left when Bastian Schweinsteiger replaced Mata.
They were about to bring on Fellaini for their third change when Darmian picked up a knock so it was Timothy Fosu-Mensah who came on.
Rashford then pulled up but, with all three changes made, he had to soldier on.
Aguero missed a great chance to equalise in the first of six added minutes after eluding Valencia only to drag his shot wide, a miss that epitomised their day.